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Fears about ectopic heart beats and PSVT's. Doctor not concerned.
I started having these darn heart skips in my late 30's after mom had her first heart attack. I wore a 24 hour holter monitor and I only had a few ectopic beats, nothing else. Well, I had them off and on and some PSVTs (Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia)as well, but nothing major, but they scared me. I was fortunate that I never had a lot back then. After mom died from complications from vascular surgery, they started again and this time a lot more and more atrial runs. I wore 7 day events monitors , and had a couple of echocardiograms
This was when I was 49 to 54. Daddy died from cancer, and then the skips got worse again. I married a man from New Zealand and I moved there when
I was 55(I live here now)and the ectopic heart beats and PSVTs have taken a turn for the worse. I am now 68 and I live every day in constant fear of them. Every little strange best sends me into panic and I cry. I have worn two 7 day monitors once a few years ago and one a couple of months ago. I had an echocardiogram a year ago. All "normal" results. I have lost track of all the times I have gone to the ER, again, I am always discharged because all blood work and EKGs are normal. I just now had a short run of PSVTs, at least I think it was that, I am petrified of having A fib. I am sick with fear, no matter how hard I try, I can't stop being frightened. I am going to see my GP tomorrow to see if she'll refer me to have another echo done. I wasn't happy with the first as it said on one part that the image quality was only fair and poor subcoastal windows. I paid a lot for the exam, I want it done right. I should have said something earlier, but I didn't think about it. Lately, I have been having the ectopic heart beats all day and night which are horrible, they are not sustained but persistent all day. I don't know how much more I can take. That's when I really studied the echo report a few days ago and it concerns me, I am surprised that I haven't been called for another actually due to the fact of what it said about the images. Also, the cardiologist said it was "an essentially normal echocardiogram" It did show MAC-Mitral Annular calculation, but no stenosis and just very trivial MR. The aortic valve had some thickening valves, but no stenosis or AR. The rest of the report was OK. I am concerned that he didn't mention another review as it's been a year. I am so scared I can't think straight. I didn't think much about it when I got the report, but now that AI answers questions, I feel like I know more and I am doubting my doctors. I just can't stop being scared. Oh, ejection fraction good, it was 72.
I also have fibromyalgia, a hiatal hernia and costochondritis, I get sternal chest pain at times and that scares me. Again, all blood work and EKGs and time on the monitor while in the ER are "normal".
I have to have relief from these ectopic heart beat fears. I am feeling weird again in my tummy and chest, this usually precedes the skipped beats, I am scared. The doctor told me to take Ativan,but I am scared of it, I am 68 and have glaucoma and those are two things that the warnings on the drug say to watch for and to not take it. She said to cut it in 4ths, but I am still scared. I know lots of people that have these horrible heart beats take Xanax, but I don't feel safe in doing so. Beta blockers really aren't an option as my blood pressure is low normal and heart rate in the 60s to 70s even during the skips, it is elevated when I have PSVTs.
I also get them after I eat or drink water. I probably don't drink enough water due to fear of the skips starting when I do. Bending over and lying down can also be a catylist. I am a mess.😭
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Hello. Almost all of us here have something like the same history, mostly with symptoms and how awful they are, and with the accompanying anxiety. You might be surprised to learn that some of us have no symptoms, and little or no anxiety. Them's the breaks!
You won't die from ectopy. Period. You may live truly miserably, wretchedly, due to the extent of your symptoms. But the ectopy won't be the cause of your end. Worry might.
I would recommend a double approach of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and consulting an electrophysiologist (EP). Between those two, a good therapist and a good heart electrician, you will find some relief. It seems your GP is not going to bat for you. Sorry, but this is what I sense from what you have said.
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2 ReactionsI attended talk therapy to help me manage my anxiety about my health. I do not have a heart condition, The issues I did have or suspected I had were really impacting my life and happiness. We worked on techniques to manage my motivation to be a good advocate for myself as well as how to accept confirmed medical diagnosis or lack thereof. It really helped me. My mom has suffered from health anxiety for most of her life and it became debilitating. I hope you can find a trusted health care team to support you in sorting it out in a way you can find peace.
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1 ReactionSusieQ ´I am so sorry what you are going through. I have in the past had afib very scary episodes. You mention fibromyalgia etc also. Every person that I know that had fibromyalgia, ate a horrible diet. Lots of sugar, pastries and basically garbage. I eliminated my afib by eliminating caffeine. All of it.
I deal with illness differently. I research info on the problem and make any changes that I can. I do not run to the docs and hospitals for scary meds and treatments.
Your problems are not just physical, but mental and spiritual also. I will be 77 yrs old tomorrow and rarely take a baby aspirin or benydryl for itchy skin or a reaction to something. Nothing more.
When I feel fear, I tell it outloud to GO. Fear is from thinking about any possible scary event that most of the time has not even happened. It is worry magnified by continuing to dwell on it and also a spirit which comes upon you when you open the door to it.
My pea brain suggestion is to begin to decrease all the sugary and processed foods out of your diet. NO sodas, pastries, foods made with processed flour, and better to eliminate them. NO coffee or chocolate, Mountain Dew which has more caffeine than colas. Greatly decrease dairy, cheese. Read Psalms in the Bible and give your fears and life to God every day and go to church.
Instead of worrying, express gratitude to God for every tiny blessing in your life. Talk to God about your problems. If you cry out to Him, He can help you.
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3 ReactionsYour post upset me so to hear how you're suffering and bc I can relate so. I have Afib and very serious episode 3 yrs ago where I almost died from plummeting BP after sustained HR of 250 BPM. I was scared and panic attacks for months, literally cowering in corners and on the floor. I live alone. 2 ablations later an excellent EP and this site, I'm back to functioning, albeit with still some rocky days. Gloaming and Lindy on this site have done much to help me get through. Only those who walk our walk can fully understand, and I certainly do. Not sure New Zealand can compare to the US for this, but perserver to get best EP available. God bless and good luck. Ive walked the walk
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3 ReactionsI could have written this myself except for the fear part. If I die I die and it's not likely seeing my echo is just like yours. I feel like no one cares. I have dull chest pain when bending forward and sometimes the PVCs go on a real trip. My blood pressure is usually so low it couldn't go lower and now it spikes around 160/90 which is high for me and my pulse goes around 100 sitting down. The dr says my echo is fine therefore here's a beta blocker! I haven't taken it because Drs never answer "WHY" they just dish out meds.
I'm going for surgery soon on my spine and wish someone would tell me why I'm so "out of order" but they don't. I know I'll be terrified to go under but I heard that's the safe place. Hope so or I will upset a lot of people. Just remember you are not alone and your heart is still beating and hasn't stopped and probably it's an electrical problem due to dehydration, electrolyte balance or too much sugary food, and stress. I hope it goes away soon
I understand your concerns as I am experiencing the same issues! That is actually why I am responding to your story. I was just released from the ER on 9/24 I and still having tightness radiating from the front to the back. I am also having heart arrhythmia more frequently and are causing me to feel uneasy and scared! The after discharge care program set me up with a nurse to monitor my blood pressure, pulse oxygen and body temperature at home. This is a really nice gesture, but there is nothing in place to monitor the heat beat, palpitations or arrhythmia that I am having. Especially when I bend over or do any kind of physical activity! It's very discouraging! I wish you all the best....
I urge you to read and re-read the comment/guidance from Gloaming. Reading about other people's scarey experiences is not likely to make you feel any safer, nor is repeating an echocardiogram that is always going to show age-related changes. Anxiety is destroying your life. Some low dose Xanax or similar could work wonders while you are waiting for next steps.